Thursday, January 22, 2009

We're back! The Domotex team is slowly trickling back into Canada, buzzing with excitement - let's face it, we had a great (and very successful) time. This show was great - so many stories and so little time! In the next series of entries, we'll fill you in - we know you're curious. Let's start with our arrival...

Ana and I landed in Germany on Wednesday, January 14th and went straight to the Deutsche Messe, where the show was being held. Running on sheer adrenaline and 3hrs sleep, we excited to see how the booth looked...and it was beautiful and glamourous and we were extatic! Our massive crate, containing our goods and supplies was there too - things were falling into place nicely...all we needed now were the rugs. We held our breath and waited and finally the rugs arrived (direct from Nepal)...looking terrific.

We did our best to lay the ground work for the next day which included vaccuuming and hanging the carpets and setting up the rest of the booth and then decided that this long day was beginning to give up its fight. Our trip to the hotel was fairly smooth, although I must admit, my brain was working in overdrive to remember exactly where the little inn was located.

The next day we were back at the Messe at 9 and Carol and Donna arrived just after noon. We got to work, turning our canvas into art, hanging carpets and setting up shop. We delivered our carpet to "floorforum", an area devoted to trends in the modern carpets and textile floor coverings industry was designed internationally renowned designer Ulf Moritz. This year the categories were reserved for design, structure and colour. Creative Matters was selected to contribute 3 entries this year - all under the category of "design". Throughout the show, visitors were invited to vote for their favourite - a "peoples choice" award, if you will - and who better to choose the best carpet? :)

Next up - deliver Nova Platinum - our Carpet Design Award nominated master-piece. It must have been quite a site...4 Canadian women traipsing through 4 separate halls, lugging 80 square feet of pure wool and silk, in what appeared to be a little carpet train. After a slight detour, we found our destination in Hall 15 and left our CDA hopeful in the capable hands of Hali/Modern. Sorry, no pics of this area - highly secure and classified, just the way we like it. Trust me, Nova Platinum looked gooooood on its own little personal stage.

The next day the Domotex team arrived at the booth ready to work , reconnect and meet new faces - our neighbors for the next 5 days. We were excited about our beautiful booth and our prospects with the new Aerial Collection. You'll have to stay tuned for the results of the awards!

Monday, January 12, 2009

It's January 2009! We're packing our bags/crates/boxes for Domotex in Hanover, Germany in preparation for our international launch of the additional pieces to our Aerial Collection.Domotex is one of the largest carpet focused trade shows in the world, featuring a diverse range of offerings, presented by some 1,350 exhibitors from 60 different nations.

And here's an exciting tidbit - we've received news that we are short listed for an award! We're crossing our fingers. In the words of the organizers:"These awards are given for innovative design, creativity and quality in the handmade carpet sector. The CDA are the benchmark for this industry and the place to showcase new trends".

As well, 3 of our rugs have been chosen for "floorforum", designed by the internationally renowned designer Ulf Moritz. This is an area of the show that is reserved to showcase trend and innovation in the carpet design field and we're delighted and flattered to be a part of it. Again in the words of the organizers:

The theme is "less is more", and the focus here is on the natural, tactile quality of textured carpets, which bring warmth and feeling to any room with their subdued colours, restful patterns and their suitability for any setting. Dramatic textures and natural textiles are seen from a new angle here in a sensitively staged display.

Carol, Donna, Erin and Ana, will be welcoming international visitors to our booth in Hall 3 Stand 54, and look forward to positive feedback for the Aerial Collection. It is an amazing fair with every type of carpet imaginable, available from vendors worldwide. We look forward to sharing our experiences and the information on new innovative products upon our return. If we get a second, we'll try to post some pics and info while we're there!